Tuesday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time (Year I)
Saint Antony, Abbot
Hebrews 6:10-20 | Psalm 110(111):1-2,4-5,9,10 | Mark 2:23-28
The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
III: Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy.
We Catholics observe the sabbath in our own way and on our own day. For many of us, however, the spirit of the sabbath has long fallen by the wayside.
✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
The sabbath was instituted for Jews to do two things:
- take rest from the week’s labours, and
- refocus on the Lord of All
While the Catholic Church chose to rechristen the sabbath as the Lord’s Day (Sunday), the guiding principles remain the same. We are commanded to take rest and spend time in spiritual enrichment.
So why are we as busy with worldly stuff on Sundays as we are on other days, and reluctantly slotting in mindless attendance (instead of active participation) at mass where convenient?
Should we not make an effort to slow down and spend more reflecting on our connection with Christ, and making whatever improvements are necessary?
Can we work towards dedicating the Lord’s Day to the Lord, instead of to our secular desires?
And instead of making “bucket lists” of 100 places to see or things to do before we die, why not make a list of 100 ways to experience God in our daily lives? After all, the former would gain us nothing when it comes time to meet the Maker of All.
Amen.